WEEK OF OCTOBER 14, 2007 EDITION

THIS WEEK MARKS THE FIFTH EDITION OF THE WEEKLY SL INSIDER FEATURE, "THE WRITER'S CORNER." EACH WEEK I, TIM LOWERY (BETTER KNOWN AS PHOENIXRISING05), AND MY FELLOW SALEM LIVES HEAD WRITER, PATRICK L. EWING (BETTER KNOWN AS ROMAN), WILL TAKE TIME OUT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM READERS AND ANYONE ELSE THAT DECIDES TO CHECK OUR FAN FICTION BLOG OUT. WE WILL TAKE TURNS ANSWERING QUESTIONS EACH WEEK. THESE QUESTIONS CAN BE QUESTIONS ABOUT CASTING, WRITING, PAST STORIES, CURRENT STORIES, OR WHATEVER COMES TO MIND REALLY PERTAINING TO SALEM LIVES. PLEASE REMEMBER TO PM US QUESTIONS DURING THE WEEK FOR US TO ANSWER AND ALSO REMEMBER YOU CAN POST QUESTIONS VIA COMMENTING HERE IN THE BLOG. IF WE RECEIVE NO QUESTIONS, ROMAN AND I WILL JUST ANSWER QUESTIONS BASED ON REACTIONS TO EPISODES AND DISCUSSIONS WE HAVE HAD WITH OTHERS. SO, WITHOUT FURTHER ADIEU, HERE WE GO:

THIS WEEK'S WRITER IN THE HOT SHEET: TIM LOWERY (PHOENIXRISING05)

1.) There seemed to be some controversy over the fact that Alyson let Nicole off the hook for snatching her baby. Did you want that to be a point of debate? What was the purpose there?

A: Well, it was not meant to evoke debate, although that is always great in terms of attention. It was meant to do a few things. It moved Nicole into a position of action where she was pushed far enough to go after Caroline and the Brady's to prove a point to them. It was also done for the benefit of the Alyson character. We want to show her as weak but she will come into her own. She has her mother always instructing her and she is very fearful of the things going on in Salem. Nicole is her main fear and she knows what she is capable of. She knows of her affiliation with Orpheus and how they kept Carrie's baby from her. She didn't have Nicole arrested nor did she punish her because she was afraid of the ramifications. She thinks the result could be worse that way. Her reasoning is that by giving Nicole another chance, maybe she will see the light and back off. It was like an olive branch of a sort. Alyson is naive in this case because she hasn't experienced things like this. She led a normal, simple life and now she is bring thrown into the lion's den. She was screwed either way because the fans know Nicole isn't giving up and they also know that Nicole would make her pay if she was punished for taking the child. It's a catch 22. For fans of Alyson, she will reach the boiling point and then we will see a new side of her. A side that is deep within her, waiting to bust out to stop people from making her a doormat. It's a more independent side of her. That is coming.

2.) What is the deal with all the guest star/cameo appearances?

A: It's part of what we do to be unique. We don't always spoil everything in casting news and it makes SL more realistic when you have people just pop up. We like bringing people in as henchmen or to serve specific roles. You never know when one may catch on and become someone you can utilize in other ways. It makes the canvas more alive.

3.) I'm lost in regards to some of the current stories. Is their summaries available?

A: We don't like summaries because we feel it dilutes the story. If anyone is new to reading the blog or stopped reading and is returning, Roman and I are happy to answer any questions. Just PM us or comment in the blog. We can help you or point you in the direction of some episodes that can help fill you in. This way, you can go back and not have to read everything to catch up but you also get the proper sense of how the story is or was. It just works better we feel.

4.) SL went through many cast cuts this past summer yet the cast is just as large due to additions of some new characters. Will there be more cuts and do you worry that this could take away from other characters/stories?

A: The new characters were needed to spice things up. The cuts were made for story reasons and also because we felt some characters needed a break so we brought on new ones that we felt could add to the canvas and stories we were telling. These new characters have slowly been worked in and developed and it seems the fans are enjoying the slow "get to know them" process. I should also add that we tend to bring back lots of past characters for brief visits or to fill roles in stories pertaining to their families and that is always going to be something that we do. We will never let them take away from those pivotal to the current canvas but history is important. It adds to the emotional investment of the stories we are focusing on and we won't shy away from bringing on familiar faces to move story or to add a presence. A good example of this is Liz Curtis, who returns this week.

5.) It seems like alot is happening behind the scenes based on that blurb in last week's Insider. Care to elaborate?

A: No (laughs). Every week is big, as usual. Halloween is obviously something fans need to get hyped for. It's going to be amazing!! Also, there is some fantastic things in the works for November sweeps and December. November may have a special event that the fans will really enjoy. We're still seeing how it can work in the broad scheme of things. Just keep reading to see what happens!! You won't be disappointed!!

WELL, THAT IS ALL FOR NEXT WEEK. REMEMBER TO PM QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED IN THE WRITER'S CORNER TO ME OR ROMAN BY NEXT FRIDAY AT 8PM EST. ALSO, YOU MAY POST QUESTIONS HERE IN THE BLOG BY COMMENTING. JUST DO IT BEFORE FRIDAY AT 8PM. THANKS AND WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK IN THE WRITER'S CORNER WHERE ROMAN WILL BE ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS. UNTIL NEXT TIME!!!


COMINGS AND GOINGS

COMING

Gloria Loring (Liz Curtis): The fan favorite is back, as previously reported. She will appear on October 15 and 16.

CATCHING UP WITH: CHRISTIE CLARK

We recently had time to sit down and ask Christie Clark (ex-Carrie) three questions on how she’s doing since leaving SL, what she thinks of it right now, and how she feels about being on the outside looking in right now.

SALEM LIVES INSIDER: Good to see you again. Your exit in August came as a surprise. How did it come about?

CHRISTIE CLARK: I knew it was coming. Last year, when the new writers came on, they told me that my story was starting slow. It picked up big time in February and all of a sudden I was working my ass off!! It was fun. I felt like Ali (Sweeney, Sami). She is always having this much airtime. However, when I knew Patrick (Muldoon, ex-Austin) was fired, I knew I was done. They kind of hinted to me they were tying up Carrie and Austin via the baby story. I felt sad because Patrick took Austin's (Peck, ex-Austin) place and was gone in less then a year. The material we had was great though. We also gave Austin and Carrie fans a nice wedding. I can't complain about my exit either. Nice way of tying things up.

SLI: What is your opinion on SL right now?

CC: It's on a roll right now it seems. Everything has a different vibe since the Fall premiere. I mean, it's always been action-packed but the intensity is at an all-time high and there is definitely alot more internal conflict and serious drama going on. It's basically the same old great stories but things are bouncing more then usual.

SLI: Would you ever come back? Have you been approached?

CC: I would come back. I'm not doing much and I maintain open conversation with SL. There are no hard feelings. I understood why I had to go. They want me back at some point and I will be waiting for the call. I love it there. Carrie is overseas somewhere and I can't see her being gone all that long. I would love to return sooner rather then later but I'm patient. I'll wait. It's worth it, I think.

SLI: Thanks so much, Christie. We do appreciate it.

CC: Anytime.

PREVIEWS AND PEEKS INTO WK OF 10/15/07

-An Old Fan Favorite Returns.
-Abby Demands Answers.
-Billie And Jack Have A Falling Out.
-Doug Has A Change Of Heart.
-Abe And Celeste Talk Things Out As Lexie Finally Confirms Their Suspicions.
-Steve & Hope Grow Closer.
-Tony Has A Secret That May Destroy Stefano!
-Marlena Holds The Key To A Shocking Secret.
-A Devastating Truth Is Revealed.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: FRIDAY OCTOBER 19TH

STEFANO AND ORPHEUS ENGAGE IN A DEADLY SHOWDOWN!! MEANWHILE, A DEVASTATING TRUTH IS REVEALED!!!

NEXT WEEK: Greta Wakes Up. A Disappointed Doug Breaks Julie's Heart. The Past Eats Away At Steve And Hope. Billie Lashes Out Over Elizabeth. Lucas And Joelle Try To Reach A Settlement. Abe And Lexie File Officially For A Divorce.

And............

Unbelievably...............

It’s Coming...........

To Salem..........

THIS HALLOWEEN!!!!!